09-11-2013, 03:53 AM
There is apparently a lawsuit being formed against HELCO through moveon.org. An Ed Wagner has been sending around emails to drum up interest. In his last email he included what I found very interesting observations about Iceland's geothermal experience. This is cheap electricity! (As a nod to Ed's efforts, the contact for the lawsuit is quoted below).
quote:
Here is some information that might interest everyone about Iceland's approach to energy self-sufficiency.
Iceland only has 320,000 residents with 2/3 of that living in Reykjavik, but the country is very self-sufficient with all of its power generated by hydro and geothermal for more than 50 years. Before that, coal was used, and oil is only used for transportation.
The geothermal and hydroelectric plants are publicly / government owned utilities, much like what we need in Hawaii. Any "profits" go back to the government to pay for the power plant construction, maintenance, and back to the people for other services or further power plant development if needed.
One specific question I asked on my tour was about "fracking" which seems to concern some Hawaii residents, including Senator Ruderman who signed this petition. The answer - no fracking in geothermal bore hole drilling! It is used for extracting oil and gas from rock or shale. One interesting comment by the guide at the power plant, however, is that earthquakes are a form of fracking.
Iceland grows all of its vegetables and some fruits such as strawberries in greenhouses, all heated by geothermal energy.
Residents only pay $80 a month for hot and cold water, electricity, and geothermal hot water heat. Electricity cost .05 cents /kWh. However, industry pays less that a penny or .0083 cent /kWh! 80% of power production is for industry while 20% is for residential use.
Much of the energy development in Iceland over the years has come from 3 aluminum processing plants. The first aluminum plant opened in 1966. The newest one in 2007. European loans were made to build the geothermal and hydro plants so the fees charged for electricity goes to repayment of the loans.
The farmers who grow food in greenhouses pay .02-.03 cents /kWh but want to pay the same rate as industry because they need to make a profit too!
In Hawaii, farmers can't survive because of high electric rates too , so let's stop talking about non-profit coops ( cooperatives ) or state owed utilities for each island and just do it! It is time for the legislature to develop coop plans for passage in the 2014 session. The politicians have been talking about coops for the past 30 years, but the monopoly stands in our way.
quote:
The list of plaintiffs for John Carroll's lawsuit challenging our electric monopoly is being finalized. If any homeowner or business owner still wishes to participate as a plaintiff, please contact John at 526-9111 or johncarro001@hawaii.rr.com to request a copy of his client contract that must be filled out with your "story" about how this monopoly has impacted your family and / or business, signed, and returned to him. The lawsuit will be filed this month once this list is finalized.